Annotated Source- Caste as a determinant of healthcare services

Saroha, Ekta. 2007. Caste as a determinant of utilization of maternal and neonatal healthcare services in 
       maitha, utta pradesh, india.The University of Alabama at Birmingham. In PROQUESTMS ProQuest     
       Dissertations & Theses (PQDT), http://search.proquest.com/docview/304893270?accountid=4488.


This was an awfully exciting dissertation. The abstract begins with the simple statement that upper-caste women receive better healthcare than low-caste women. This may seem obvious, but its implications are monumental. However this association has not been well researched. She introduces the many inequalities Hindus suffer due to the caste system. Despite government programs to subsidize health care, low-caste individuals have not reaped the benefits. These castes that receive affirmative action are referred to as "Scheduled Castes".


In 2000, Maternal Mortality Ratio was 540/100,000 live births and Neonatal Mortality Ratio was 43/ 100,000. The researcher narrowed her study to Uttar Pradesh, a largely Hindu state in India that has lower level of health care for women and children. Only 5% had trained live birth attendants and 22% used contraceptives. The link was further explained. Many low-caste women did have a traditionally trained attendant at their birth, despite their knowledge, they were not well trained enough. These attendants are generally the same caste as the woman. Generally, well educated doctors and midwives are high-caste. The difference in caste as well as an inability to pay results in low caste women receiving substandard care. The affirmative action needs some serious adjustment. These marginalized populations are not receiving the care they need and too many are dying as a result. 


This article was very relevant to my research. While I will probably not take caste into consideration during my research. I appreciated that the researcher did not discount traditional medical methods, but did note that with some training they could greatly reduce death. I will definitely return to this VERY LONG dissertation soon.